Well, almost. National Dog Day is just about here, coming up on August 26th! Here are some facts you may not know about your pup, and why they need regular vet check ups to stay healthy and happy!
- Petting a dog lowers blood pressure and reduces stress.
- Grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, wild mushrooms, chocolate, and macadamia nuts are very toxic to dogs. If your pet has ingested any of these, be sure to give us a call. If the situation is serious, we can refer you to an emergency hospital!
- Toothpaste made for humans is toxic to dogs. Fortunately, there is a toothpaste for dogs too you can get to make sure their teeth stay nice and white. (Some come in chicken flavour… I don’t know about you, but I’m okay with regular old spearmint or bubblefruit!) We sell dog toothpaste here at the clinic, so come pick some up along with a toothbrush if you’re looking to keep those pearly whites on your canine clean.
- Dogs can be trained to detect some types of cancers in humans.
- A skunk can spray 7-15 feet and even further if it’s windy – so keep your dog far away! My dog loves to chase skunks, but ultimately ends up regretting it when she gets sprayed in the mouth. If your dog does get sprayed by a skunk, it’s not pleasant, and certainly not easy to wash away, but it it doable! Here at the clinic we’ve got Skunk-off spray, and recommendations for which homemade remedy works best for getting that stink off your curious dog.
- Spaying or neutering your dog can prevent some forms of cancer. It’s always a good idea to get them spayed or neutered (fix before six!), both procedures offered here at Parkgate, unless your intention is to breed.
- A study found that dogs would rather be petted than receive verbal praise. That goes back to our first fun fact about lowering their blood pressure!
- Dogs at work reduce stress and increase productivity, creativity, and customer impressions of the company. This has also been proven at schools. Schools now are beginning to introduce programs where dogs, specially trained for attention and affection, are brought in for some pets between classes– great for the mental health of the student and the dog!
- Bathing a dog too often strips away natural oils, which can cause dryness, dandruff, and itching. Dandruff and dry skin can also be a product of something not quite right with their diet, so come on in if your dog shows signs of this. There are many oils we can prescribe, shampoo made for dry skin, diet supplements, and special medicated food you can buy here for any issue with dry skin.
- Petting a dog increases oxytocin levels (“the love hormone”) for both you and the dog. So sweet– I think it’s cuddle time!
- Dogs most likely don’t feel guilt. Those puppy dog eyes they’re giving you are likely a reaction to your behavior. By the time you find that half-chewed toilet roll, they’ll have forgotten they did it– and wonder why you’re so disappointed!
- Dogs are the only species that look to where humans are pointing with their eyes or fingers. Interesting!
- Contrary to rumor, giving your dog ice or ice water will not cause a life-threatening illness. Cold water can be nice in the summer, but crush up ice cubes to avoid teeth injuries and be careful not to give your dog too much water all at once! They may get sick.
If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment, please give us a call at 604-929-1863, or drop into Parkgate Plaza, in the Seymour/Deep Cove area of North Vancouver!
